This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6622929.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
French poll rivals in final push French poll rivals in final push
(about 2 hours later)
The candidates in the French presidential election are entering a final day of campaigning ahead of Sunday's vote. France's presidential candidates have started their final day of campaigning ahead of Sunday's vote.
Socialist Segolene Royal will be at a meeting in Brittany, in the west, while conservative Nicolas Sarkozy visits a war memorial in the Alpine region. The latest opinion polls suggest that conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy has a firm lead over Socialist Segolene Royal after Wednesday's TV debate.
The latest opinion polls suggest Mr Sarkozy has extended his lead after Wednesday's televised debate. A new Ifop poll for the Le Monde newspaper put Mr Sarkozy at 53%, with Ms Royal trailing with 47%.
Campaigning ends on Friday as voting in some overseas regions is on Saturday. Ms Royal is campaigning Brittany, in the west, while Mr Sarkozy will be at a war memorial in the Alpine region.
The campaigns end on Friday as voting in some overseas French regions takes place on Saturday.
The latest Ifop poll was conducted on 3 May among 858 people who had watched the often fiery televised debate.
It found that the two candidates' scores were unchanged from the polling company's previous survey before the debate.
Another poll by TNS Sofres for the Le Figaro daily showed Mr Sarkozy nine percentage points ahead of Ms Royal, with 54.5% and 45.5% respectively, up 2.5 points on a previous poll by the same pollster.
The BBC's Caroline Wyatt, in Montpellier, says most French voters have now made up their minds with only 10% still undecided.The BBC's Caroline Wyatt, in Montpellier, says most French voters have now made up their minds with only 10% still undecided.
She says that although Mr Sarkozy may be a deeply divisive figure, few doubt his competence or ability to get things done.She says that although Mr Sarkozy may be a deeply divisive figure, few doubt his competence or ability to get things done.
Segolene Royal has fought hard over the past few days to make up lost ground, our correspondent says, but faced with a choice between left and right, most are planning to choose the path of reform laid out by Mr Sarkozy.Segolene Royal has fought hard over the past few days to make up lost ground, our correspondent says, but faced with a choice between left and right, most are planning to choose the path of reform laid out by Mr Sarkozy.
'Betrayal''Betrayal'
The final day of campaigning is expected to be low-key.The final day of campaigning is expected to be low-key.
Ms Royal will be hoping to win over any floating voters with two open-air rallies in Brittany.Ms Royal will be hoping to win over any floating voters with two open-air rallies in Brittany.
Did the televised debate sway many French voters?In picturesDid the televised debate sway many French voters?In pictures
Mr Sarkozy travels to the Alps to attend a ceremony paying respect the resistance fighters of World War II.Mr Sarkozy travels to the Alps to attend a ceremony paying respect the resistance fighters of World War II.
He will be buoyed by the latest opinion poll on Friday by TNS Sofres for Le Figaro.
It shows him nine percentage points ahead of Ms Royal, up 2.5 points on a previous poll by the same organisation.
Both candidates held their final big rallies on Thursday, Ms Royal in Lille in the north and Mr Sarkozy at the other end of the country in Montpellier.Both candidates held their final big rallies on Thursday, Ms Royal in Lille in the north and Mr Sarkozy at the other end of the country in Montpellier.
Mr Sarkozy returned to his theme of the "betrayal" of France by socialists inspired by the 1968 student protests.Mr Sarkozy returned to his theme of the "betrayal" of France by socialists inspired by the 1968 student protests.
"We have two days left to say goodbye to the heritage of '68," Mr Sarkozy said."We have two days left to say goodbye to the heritage of '68," Mr Sarkozy said.
See the candidates' poll ratingsSee the candidates' poll ratings
He promised to unify the nation, re-invigorate the economy and restore full employment.He promised to unify the nation, re-invigorate the economy and restore full employment.
Mr Sarkozy, 52, also addressed his most controversial previous statements, saying he did not regret using the word "rabble" to describe delinquents from Paris' poorest suburbs, nor did he regret speaking about cleaning housing estates "with a pressure hose".Mr Sarkozy, 52, also addressed his most controversial previous statements, saying he did not regret using the word "rabble" to describe delinquents from Paris' poorest suburbs, nor did he regret speaking about cleaning housing estates "with a pressure hose".
Ms Royal, 53, called for a French rebirth, saying she offered a safe choice for those wanting "a protecting France, a fraternal France, a competitive France".Ms Royal, 53, called for a French rebirth, saying she offered a safe choice for those wanting "a protecting France, a fraternal France, a competitive France".
She urged voters to make the "audacious choice" to elect her France's first woman president.She urged voters to make the "audacious choice" to elect her France's first woman president.
"We do not want to appeal to people's dark side, but to the light and hope inside them," she said."We do not want to appeal to people's dark side, but to the light and hope inside them," she said.
Bayrou's vowBayrou's vow
The sometimes ill-tempered TV debate on Wednesday, watched by an estimated 23m people, left both claiming victory.The sometimes ill-tempered TV debate on Wednesday, watched by an estimated 23m people, left both claiming victory.
The rivals clashed over employment, the economy and law and order.The rivals clashed over employment, the economy and law and order.
HAVE YOUR SAY None of the candidates are particularly appealing Guillaume, Brussels Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY None of the candidates are particularly appealing Guillaume, Brussels Send us your comments
Opinion polls showed the debate had not reversed Mr Sarkozy's momentum.Opinion polls showed the debate had not reversed Mr Sarkozy's momentum.
Mr Sarkozy said Ms Royal had tried "to be pugnacious but at times she was too aggressive".Mr Sarkozy said Ms Royal had tried "to be pugnacious but at times she was too aggressive".
Ms Royal said: "You can never go too much on the offensive when it comes to defending convictions and values."Ms Royal said: "You can never go too much on the offensive when it comes to defending convictions and values."
Ms Royal did get a boost from centrist Francois Bayrou, who was defeated in the first round of the election.Ms Royal did get a boost from centrist Francois Bayrou, who was defeated in the first round of the election.
Mr Bayrou, who has been strongly critical of Mr Sarkozy, said in an interview with Le Monde newspaper: "I will not vote for Sarkozy."Mr Bayrou, who has been strongly critical of Mr Sarkozy, said in an interview with Le Monde newspaper: "I will not vote for Sarkozy."
Mr Sarkozy won 31.2% of the votes and Ms Royal won 25.9% in the first round of the election on 22 April. Mr Sarkozy won 31.2% of the votes and Ms Royal won 25.9% in the first round of the election on 22 April.
Click to returnClick to return